Router having interconnected tubular segments

ABSTRACT

A router includes tubular segments interconnected to one another. Each tubular segment surrounds an interior which accommodates fiber optic jumpers within the tubular segment. A latch of a first one of the tubular segments connects to a connector hole of a second one of the tubular segments to interconnect the first and second tubular segments.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.10/988,792, filed Nov. 15, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. ______, which ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

1. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to mechanisms for routing and supportingfiber optic jumpers.

2. Background Art

Fiber optic jumpers connect into and out from network equipment in orderto communicate optical signals to and from the network equipment.Network equipment includes components arranged within a bay or a lineupof bays. A set of network equipment bays are usually arrangedside-by-side in a relay rack. The relay rack is mounted to a stationarystructure such as a ladder rack on a given level. Other sets of networkequipment bays are arranged in other relay racks which are mounted tothe ladder rack on different levels.

A fiber optic jumper trough (i.e., “raceway”) is placed above or belowthe ladder rack. Fiber optic jumpers extend between the raceway and thenetwork equipment. For example, a first group of fiber optic jumpersextends between the raceway and the bays of the first relay rack, asecond group of fiber optic jumpers extends between the raceway and thebays of the second relay rack, etc. Sub-sets of fiber optic jumpersextend from each group to an associated bay within a relay rack. Forinstance, a first sub-set of the first group of fiber optic jumpersextends to the first bay in the first relay rack, a second sub-set ofthe first group of fiber optic jumpers extends to the second bay in thefirst relay rack, etc.

Typically, there are a great many fiber optic jumpers for connectionfrom the raceway to a great many network equipment components arrangedon the ladder rack. As can be appreciated, the fiber optic jumpers forma congested mess. That is, the configuration of the fiber optic jumpersbetween the raceway and the network equipment arranged on the ladderrack is likely to be appear as congested, confusing, and irrational toan operator. Further, the portions of the fiber optic jumpers extendingbetween the raceway and the network equipment components on the ladderrack are exposed to the environment and to accidental contact by casualhuman operators.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a fiber optic jumper routing and securing system forrouting and securing fiber optic jumpers between a fiber optic jumpertrough and network equipment in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 2A illustrates a side view of a straw-type enclosure for therouting system in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 2B illustrates a perspective view of the straw-type enclosure shownin FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3A illustrates a top view of an anchor-type enclosure for therouting system in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 3B illustrates a side view of the anchor-type enclosure shown inFIG. 3A;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the straw-type enclosure shownin FIG. 2 being interconnected to the anchor-type enclosure shown inFIG. 3 in order to form a combined segment of the routing system inaccordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 5A illustrates a perspective view of a straight-junction mule-typeenclosure of the routing system in accordance with the presentdisclosure with a large-length anchoring post for anchoring thisenclosure to a structure;

FIG. 5B illustrates a perspective view of the straight-junctionmule-type enclosure shown in FIG. SA with an anchoring base foranchoring this enclosure to a structure;

FIG. 5C illustrates a perspective view of a curved anchor-type enclosureof the routing system in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 5D illustrates a perspective view of an S-bend anchor-typeenclosure of the routing system in accordance with the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 5E illustrates a perspective view of a tee anchor-type enclosure ofthe routing system in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 5F illustrates a perspective view of a splitter anchor-typeenclosure of the routing system in accordance with the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 6A illustrates a side view of a routing system in accordance withanother embodiment of the present disclosure in which this routingsystem has an open air-gap configuration and is mounted to a networkequipment shelf for routing and securing fiber optic jumpers between araceway and fiber ports of the network equipment shelf;

FIG. 6B illustrates a frontal view of the routing system shown in FIG.6A;

FIG. 7A illustrates a side view of a routing system in accordance withanother embodiment of the present disclosure in which this routingsystem has a fully-enclosed configuration and is mounted to a networkequipment shelf for routing and securing fiber optic jumpers between araceway and fiber ports of the network equipment shelf;

FIG. 7B illustrates a frontal view of the routing system shown in FIG.7A;

FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of a routing system in accordance withanother embodiment of the present disclosure in which this routingsystem is mounted to a lineup of network equipment bays in order toroute and secure fiber optic jumpers between a raceway and the networkequipment bays;

FIG. 9A illustrates a straight-junction mule-type enclosure and twostraw-type enclosures positioned to be interconnected to one another forforming a combined segment of the routing system shown adjacent area “A”of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9B illustrates the straight-junction mule-type enclosure and thetwo straw-type enclosures shown in FIG. 9A being interconnected to oneanother to form the combined segment of the routing system shownadjacent area “A” of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 illustrates an S-bend anchor-type enclosure which forms asegment of the routing system shown adjacent area “B” of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 illustrates a tee anchor-type enclosure interconnected at eachend to a straw-type enclosure in order to form the combined segment ofthe routing system shown adjacent area “C” of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 12 illustrates a blown-up view of the portion of the routing systemadjacent to the network equipment bays of the first relay rack shown inFIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

The present disclosure discloses an embodiment of a router. In thisembodiment, the router includes first, second, and third tubularsegments interconnected to one another. Each tubular segment surroundsan interior which accommodates fiber optic jumpers within the tubularsegment. A latch of the first tubular segment connects to a connectorhole of the second tubular segment to interconnect the first and secondtubular segments, and a latch of the third tubular segment connects toanother connector hole of the second tubular segment to interconnect thesecond and third tubular segments.

The present disclosure discloses another embodiment of a router. In thisembodiment, the router includes tubular segments interconnected to oneanother. Each tubular segment surrounds an interior which accommodatesfiber optic jumpers within the tubular segment. A latch of a first oneof the tubular segments connects to a connector hole of a second one ofthe tubular segments to interconnect the first and second tubularsegments. At least one post is associated with at least one of thetubular segments for mounting the router to a given surface.

The present disclosure discloses another embodiment of a router. In thisembodiment, the router includes tubular segments interconnected to oneanother. Each tubular segment surrounds an interior which accommodatesfiber optic jumpers within the tubular segment. A latch of a first oneof the tubular segments connects to a connector hole of a second one ofthe tubular segments to interconnect the first and second tubularsegments. The tubular segments have slits which open and close to enableplacement of fiber optic jumpers within the interiors of the tubularsegments.

The advantages of a fiber optic jumper router in accordance with thepresent disclosure are numerous. The router in accordance with thepresent disclosure enables operators to place, secure, route, andconnect fiber optic jumpers with network equipment. Network equipment ismounted in a ladder rack or the like in various configurations. Suchconfigurations do not account for the placement of volumes of fiberoptic jumpers on and around the network equipment. Such jumperstypically extend from a fiber optic jumper trough (i.e., “raceway”)positioned away from the network equipment. The router allows anoperator to rapidly surround fiber optic jumpers with a safetyprotective containment material while maintaining their correct bendradius limiters. The correct bend radius limiters are maintained toprovide proper strain relief and bend parameters for optimal fiber optictransmissions and characteristics.

A router in accordance with the present disclosure includes a pluralityof supporting pieces which are interconnectable with one another. Thesupporting pieces are interconnectable fiber optic jumper enclosures. Aseries of enclosures interconnect to form a unique fiber optic jumperrouter (i.e., a unique routing system). In an embodiment, at least someof the enclosures forming the router are anchored to surfaces of thenetwork equipment and/or the ladder rack. These enclosures are anchoredto the network equipment and/or the ladder rack in order to secure theformed fiber optic jumper router to the network equipment and/or theladder rack.

The enclosures are generally tubular segments having circularcross-sections. The tubular segments are provided in variousconfigurations, shapes, and size and include straight, curved, S-bend,etc., tubular segments. In an embodiment, the tubular segments have alongitudinal slit running along one side which can be easily pried apartby an operator for placement of fiber optic jumpers within theenclosures. Fiber optic jumpers placed inside enclosures runlongitudinally into one end of the enclosures and out of the other endof the enclosures. However, the slit enables fiber optic jumpers placedinside enclosures to run longitudinally from one end and then extend outfrom the slit before reaching the other end if desired.

The enclosures may have different diameters for receiving a number offiber optic jumpers therein. Preferably, each enclosure has across-sectional diameter large enough (about ⅝ inch) to encase a groupof up to sixteen fiber optic jumpers. Upon placement of fiber opticjumpers within an enclosure, the sides of the enclosure around the slitclose to house the fiber optic jumpers therein.

In operation, an operator selects certain enclosures and interconnectsthem together to form a router having a unique configuration suitablefor placement of fiber optic jumpers in and around the given networkequipment configuration. The operator anchors at least some of theenclosures to the network equipment and/or the ladder rack in order tosecure the placement of the routing system. The anchoring of theenclosures is done with telephone adhesive, screw-in bolts, etc. Theoperator then places different portions of fiber optic jumpers withinthe interconnected enclosures in order to route the fiber optic jumpersto the network equipment such that the enclosures effectively protectand secure the fiber optic jumpers to the network equipment and/or theladder rack.

Each enclosure is made of a supportive material such as plastic andprovides protection to fiber optic jumpers encased therein whileallowing the encased fiber optic jumpers to move or slide freely inrelation to one another. Each enclosure is malleable to permit slightbending in order to avoid any rigid shear tearing or ripping motionswhile maintaining the minimum bend radius required for the fiber opticjumpers.

Telecommunication standards generally dictate the following truisms withrespect to fiber optic jumpers. Fiber optic jumpers are delicate andtherefore have to be protected from the environment. Fiber optic jumpersrequire a minimum fiber bend radius for all bends. The minimum bendradius for a fiber optic jumper is the minimum of 1.5 inch radius (3.0inch diameter) or twenty times the diameter of the fiber optic jumper atany point. Fiber optic jumpers are to be able to slide in relation toone another and are not to be artificially constrained or securedpermanently at any one point beyond end connector termination points.Connectors and boots of fiber optic jumpers are required to be straightfor minimal attenuation of the optical signal. The maximum fiberconnector length including the boot away from the mating connectorterminating housing should not exceed 2.25 inches. The minimum distancefrom the connector terminating housing to the completion of any minimum90° bend of a fiber optic jumper should be at least 3.75 inches. Anycover or door that overlays network equipment with protruding fiberoptic jumpers should not touch or provide pressure on the fiber opticjumpers.

A router in accordance with the present disclosure accommodates thesefeatures. The router effectively readily affixes fiber optic jumperenclosures (and fiber optic jumpers placed therein) to bays, relayracks, network equipment, or any fixed surface in order to place,secure, route, and connect the fiber optic jumpers.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a fiber optic jumper routing and securingsystem 10 for routing and securing fiber optic jumpers 12 between afiber optic jumper trough (i.e., “raceway”) 14 and network equipment 16in accordance with the present disclosure is shown. As shown in FIG. 1,routing system 10 routes and secures a group of fiber optic jumpers 12between raceway 14 and network equipment 16. Network equipment 16 ismounted on a ladder rack 18 and raceway 14 is placed above the networkequipment. Routing system 10 (i.e., router) includes a series of fiberoptic jumper enclosures 24 which are interconnected to one another andare mounted to network equipment 16 and/or ladder rack 18 in order toroute and secure fiber optic jumpers 12 between raceway 14 and thenetwork equipment.

Fiber optic jumpers 12 extend from routing system 10 into and out ofraceway 14. Likewise, fiber optic jumpers 12 extend from routing system10 into and out of network equipment 16. Network equipment 16 includes aset of network equipment bays 20 which are arranged side-by-side in arelay rack 22. Relay rack 22 is mounted to ladder rack 18 on a givenlevel. Other sets of bays are arranged in other relay racks which arealso mounted to ladder rack 18 on different levels.

Raceway 14 is placed above ladder rack 18 and has a horizontalorientation. Typically, raceway 14 is placed on the order of nine totwelve feet away from network equipment 16 on ladder rack 18. Ladderrack 18 generally has a vertical orientation and relay racks 22generally have a horizontal orientation. As shown in FIG. 1, routingsystem 10 vertically routes fiber optic jumpers 12 between raceway 14and ladder rack 18 and then horizontally routes the fiber optic jumpersalong network equipment 16.

Routing system 10 includes a plurality of fiber optic jumper enclosures24. Enclosures 24 are tubular segments having circular cross-sectionsfor receiving fiber optic jumpers therein. As an example, enclosures 24appear and function as straws. Enclosures 24 have differentconfigurations such as straight, curved, S-bend, 90° bend, splitter,tee, and the like. Enclosures 24 also have different lengths from afraction of an inch to a couple of feet.

Enclosures 24 interconnect with one another to form routing system 10.Routing system 10 has a given length and unique configuration whichdepend upon which enclosures 24 are interconnected together. An analogyfor interconnecting enclosures 24 to form routing system 10 is a childplaying and connecting coffee straws together end-by-end in order toform a combined coffee straw having a much larger length than anyindividual straw. Interconnecting enclosures 24 together end-by-endeffectively forms a combined enclosure (i.e., routing system 10) havinga much larger length than any individual enclosure. Further, enclosures24 have different configurations (such as straight, curved, S-bend)which enable different ones of the enclosures to be connected togetherto form a combined enclosure (i.e., routing system 10) not only having arelatively larger length than any individual enclosure, but also havinga different configuration than the configuration of any individualenclosure.

For example, as shown in FIG. 1, routing system 10 has an overallconfiguration which includes a bend around the top edge of ladder rack18, a vertical orientation from this bend to relay rack 22, and then ahorizontal orientation along the relay rack. This overall configurationof routing system 10 is formed by interconnecting certain types ofenclosures together such as curved enclosures, straight enclosure,S-bend enclosures, etc., in a proper order.

Enclosures 24 are anchored to surfaces of network equipment 16 and/orladder rack 18 in order to secure routing system 10 to the networkequipment and/or the ladder rack. Enclosures 24 are anchored usingtelephone adhesive, screw-in bolts, etc.

As indicated above, a plurality of different types of enclosures 24 areinterconnected together to form routing system 10. The different typesof enclosures 24 fall within three general categories: 1) straw-type; 2)anchor-type; and 3) straight-junction mule-type.

The tubular member of each type of enclosure has a slit which separatesthe sides of the enclosure. An operator pries apart the sides of theenclosure around the slit to place fiber optic jumpers within theenclosure. The sides of the enclosure around the slit close towards theslit once the operator pressure has been removed in order to house thefiber optic jumpers therein.

The straw-type enclosures have straight tubular segments provided withconnector holes on the sides of the tubular segments. The tubularsegments are of various lengths. The anchor-type enclosures have tubularsegments in different configurations such as curved, S-bend, 90° bend,tee, splitter, etc. The tubular segments of many of the anchor-typeenclosures have latches on each end. The latches latch into theconnector holes of the straw-type enclosures in order to interconnectthe straw-type enclosures to the anchor-type enclosures. Anchoring postsand the like are used to anchor the anchor-type enclosures to a givensurface. The straight-junction mule-type enclosures have straighttubular segments with latches at each end. The tubular segments of thestraight-junction mule enclosures are of various lengths and are void ofconnector holes. These latches also latch into the connector holes ofthe straw-type enclosures in order to interconnect the straw-typeenclosures to the straight-junction mule-type enclosures. It is notedthat anchor-type enclosures and straight-junction mule-type enclosuresare generally configurable with/without connector holes and with/withoutlatches.

Referring now to FIGS. 2A and 2B, a straw-type enclosure 24 a of routingsystem 10 in accordance with the present disclosure is shown. Straw-typeenclosure 24 a includes a straight tubular segment 26 having first andsecond ends 28, 30. Tubular segment 26 includes a split 32 runninglongitudinally between ends 28, 30. Split 32 pries apart to enable fiberoptic jumpers 12 to be placed within straw-type enclosure 24 a. Tubularsegment 26 further includes connector holes 34 on its surface. Connectorholes 34 receive latches of anchor-type and straight-junction mule-typeenclosures in order to interconnect straw-type enclosure 24 a to theseother enclosures.

Referring now to FIGS. 3A and 3B, an anchor-type enclosure 24 b ofrouting system 10 in accordance with the present disclosure is shown.Anchor-type enclosure 24 b includes a tubular segment 36 having firstand second ends 38, 40. Tubular segment 36 includes a split 42 runninglongitudinally between ends 38, 40 which allows fiber optic jumpers 12to be placed inside. Tubular segment 36 further includes a male flange(i.e., a latch) 44 connected by a connection segment 46 to end 38.

Referring now to FIG. 4, straw-type enclosure 24 a and anchor-typeenclosure 24 b are shown as being interconnected. Straw-type enclosure24 a and anchor-type enclosure 24 b are interconnected to form a segmentof routing system 10. Latch 44 of anchor-type enclosure 24 b latchesonto a connector hole 34 of straw-type enclosure 24 a when an end (28 or30) of the straw-type enclosure is inserted into end 38 of theanchor-type enclosure in order to interconnect the straw-type enclosureand the anchor-type enclosure together.

Referring now to FIG. 5A, a straight-junction mule-type enclosure 24 cof routing system 10 in accordance with the present disclosure is shown.Mule-type enclosure 24 c includes a straight tubular segment 48 havingfirst and second ends 50, 52 and a split 54 running longitudinallybetween the ends. Tubular segment 48 further includes latches 56, 58connected at respective ends 50, 52. An anchoring post 60 connects withthe body of tubular segment 48. Anchoring post 60 has a base 62 which ismountable to a structure such as the network equipment 16 and ladderrack 18 in order to anchor mule-type enclosure 24 c to the structure.

Referring now to FIG. 5B, mule-type enclosure 24 c is shown without ananchoring post. In this case, base 62 directly mounts tubular segment 48to a structure. As such, tubular segment 48 as shown in FIG. 5B would berelatively close to the structure upon which it is mounted on due to thelack of an anchoring post therebetween whereas tubular segment 48 asshown in FIG. 5A would be positioned away from the structure upon whichit is mounted on due to the presence of anchoring post 60 therebetween.

In the same manner as mule-type enclosure 24 c, the anchor-typeenclosures (as well as the straw-type enclosures) are also mountable byanchoring posts and the like to structures. Further, each enclosure isalso mountable to a structure by two or more anchoring posts ofdifferent lengths in order to vary the mounting height of theanchor-type enclosure between its ends.

The anchor-type enclosures include tubular segments of differentlengths, configurations, and shapes. For example, the anchor-typeenclosures include a curved anchor-type enclosure 24 d as shown in FIG.5C. Curved anchor-type enclosure 24 d includes ends 64, 66 havingrespective latches 68, 70 connected thereto. Curved anchor-typeenclosure 24 d changes the orientation of fiber optic jumpers 12 placedtherein by 90° between ends 64, 66. The tubular segment of curvedanchor-type enclosure 24 d has the proper bending radius between ends64, 66 to accommodate the minimum bending radius of fiber optic jumpers12.

As another example, the anchor-type enclosures include an S-bendanchor-type enclosure 24 e as shown in FIG. 5D. S-bend anchor-typeenclosure 24 e includes ends 72, 74 having respective latches 76, 78connected thereto. If desired, ends 72, 74 are mounted by anchoringposts 80, 82 of different lengths to a structure such that end 72 ispositioned nearer the structure (e.g., ¼ inch) and end 74 is positionedfarther away from the structure (e.g., four inches). Again, the tubularsegment of S-bend anchor-type enclosure 24 e has the proper bendingradius along its body between ends 72, 74 to accommodate the minimumbending radius of fiber optic jumpers 12.

As another example, the anchor-type enclosures include a tee anchor-typeenclosure 24 f as shown in FIG. 5E. Tee anchor-type enclosure 24 fincludes a tubular body 84 having three ends 86, 88, 90. Tee anchor-typeenclosure 24 f enables a group of fiber optic jumpers 12 entering end 86to be routed through end 88 while another group of the fiber opticjumpers is routed by 90° through end 90. Tubular body 84 is designed tohave the proper bending radius between ends 86, 88, 90 to accommodatethe minimum bending radius of fiber optic jumpers 12.

As another example, the anchor-type enclosures include a splitteranchor-type enclosure 24 g as shown in FIG. 5F. Splitter anchor-typeenclosure 24 g includes a tubular body 92 having three ends 94, 96, 98.Splitter anchor-type enclosure 24 g enables a group of fiber opticjumpers 12 entering end 94 to be routed through end 96 while anothergroup of the fiber optic jumpers is routed through end 98. Again,tubular body 92 has the proper bending radius between ends 94, 96, 98 toaccommodate the minimum bending radius of fiber optic jumpers 12.

Referring now to FIGS. 6A and 6B, a routing system 100 in accordancewith another embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Routingsystem 100 has an open air-gap configuration. Routing system 100 ismounted to a network equipment shelf 108 for routing and securing fiberoptic jumpers 12 between a raceway (not shown) and fiber ports 102, 104,106 of the network equipment shelf.

Routing system 100 includes a straw-type enclosure 24 a for receivingfiber optic jumpers 12 from the raceway. Straw-type enclosure 24 a isinterconnected to a straight anchor-type enclosure 24 b. Anchor-typeenclosure 24 b is mounted to a front surface of network equipment shelf108 by an anchoring post 60 and an anchoring base 62. Fiber opticjumpers 12 pass through straw-type enclosure 24 a and anchor-typeenclosure 24 b. A 90° bend anchor-type enclosure 24 d is also mounted toa front surface of network equipment shelf 108. The 90° bend anchor-typeenclosure 24 d directs a group of fiber optic jumpers 12 fromanchor-type enclosure 24 b into fiber port 102. A straight-junctionmule-type component 24 c and another 90° bend anchor-type enclosure 24 ddirect another group of fiber optic jumpers 12 from anchor-typeenclosure 24 b into fiber port 104 and so on as shown in FIGS. 6A and6B.

Referring now to FIGS. 7A and 7B, a routing system 110 in accordancewith another embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Routingsystem 110 has a fully-enclosed configuration and is mounted to networkequipment shelf 108 for routing and securing fiber optic jumpers 12between a raceway and fiber ports 102, 104, 106 of the network equipmentshelf. Routing system 110 includes a straw-type enclosure 24 a, two teeanchor-type enclosures 24 f, and a 90° bend anchor-type enclosure 24 dwhich are interconnected together in the order shown in FIGS. 7A and 7Bto form routing system 110.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a routing system 120 in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Routing system 120 ismounted to a lineup of network equipment bays 20 in order to route andsecure fiber optic jumpers 12 between a raceway (not shown) and thenetwork equipment bays. Routing system 120 includes straw-typeenclosures 24 a, 90° bend anchor-type enclosures 24 d, tee anchor-typeenclosures 24 f, and splitter anchor-type enclosures 24 g which areinterconnected together in the order shown in FIG. 8 to form routingsystem 120.

Referring now to FIG. 9A, a straight-junction mule-type enclosure 24 cand two straw-type enclosures 24 a are shown in position to beinterconnected to one another for forming a combined segment of routingsystem 10 which is shown adjacent area “A” of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG.9A, ends 28 and 30 of the two straw-type enclosures 24 a are tapered tofit and be inserted within ends 50 and 52 of mule-type enclosure 24 c inorder to connect with the mule-type enclosure.

As shown in FIG. 9B, after the operator inserts an end of the twostraw-type enclosures 24 a within corresponding ends of mule-typeenclosure 24 c, the operator moves latches 56 and 58 of the mule-typeenclosure into a corresponding connector hole 34 of the straw-typeenclosures in order to interconnect the enclosures. The threeinterconnected enclosures from the combined segment of routing system 10shown adjacent area “A” of FIG. 1.

Referring now to FIG. 10, with reference to FIG. 12, an S-bendanchor-type enclosure 24 e which forms a segment of routing system 10shown adjacent area “B” of FIG. 1 is shown. S-bend anchor-type enclosure24 e includes a latch 76 for connecting with a connector hole 34 of theadjacent straw-type enclosure 24 a in order to connect these twoenclosures together to form the combined segment of routing system 10shown adjacent area “B” of FIG. 1. S-bend anchor-type enclosure 24 efurther includes small and large anchoring posts 80, 82. Anchoring post82 is relatively larger in order to elevate the portion the S-bendanchor-type enclosure 24 e nearest its end 74 from ladder rack 18. Thisenables S-bend anchor-type enclosure 24 e to bend up and around networkequipment bays 20 of relay rack 22 from ladder rack 18.

Referring now to FIG. 11, with reference to FIG. 12, a tee anchor-typeenclosure 24 f interconnected at each end to a straw-type enclosure 24 ain order to form the combined segment of routing system 10 shownadjacent area “C” of FIG. 1 is shown. Fiber optic jumpers 12 are routedthrough straw-type enclosures 24 a and tee anchor-type enclosure 24 asshown in FIG. 11. A first group of fiber optic jumpers 12 a break offtheir route with the rest of the fiber optic jumpers and are routedthrough end 90 of tee anchor-type enclosure 24 f in order to connectwith an adjacent bay 20. The remaining group of fiber optic jumpers 12 bpass through tee anchor-type enclosure 24 f and the next adjacentstraw-type enclosure 24 a as shown in FIG. 11.

The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments,and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all theelements and features of methods and apparatuses that might make use ofthe structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparentto those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Otherembodiments may be used and derived therefrom, such that structural andlogical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from thescope of this disclosure. The Figures are merely representational andmay not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions thereof may beexaggerated, while others may be minimized. Accordingly, thespecification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative ratherthan a restrictive sense.

Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred toherein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merelyfor convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope ofthis application to any single invention or inventive concept if morethan one is in fact disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments havebeen illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that anyarrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substitutedfor the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to coverany and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in theart upon reviewing the above description.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R.§1.72(b), requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to quicklyascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted withthe understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit thescope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing DetailedDescription, it can be seen that various features are grouped togetherin a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure.This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting anintention that the claimed embodiments require more features than areexpressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claimsreflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of asingle disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are herebyincorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing onits own as a separate embodiment.

1. A router comprising: first, second, and third tubular segmentsinterconnected to one another, each tubular segment surrounding aninterior which accommodates fiber optic jumpers within the tubularsegment; wherein a latch of the first tubular segment connects to aconnector hole of the second tubular segment to interconnect the firstand second tubular segments and a latch of the third tubular segmentconnects to another connector hole of the second tubular segment tointerconnect the second and third tubular segments.
 2. The router ofclaim 1 wherein: an end of the first tubular segment inserts within anend of the second tubular segment to interconnect the first and secondtubular segments.
 3. The router of claim 2 wherein: an end of the secondtubular segment inserts within an end of the third tubular segment tointerconnect the second and third tubular segments.
 4. The router ofclaim 1 further comprising: a fourth tubular segment, wherein a latch ofthe fourth tubular segment connects to a connector hole of the thirdtubular segment to interconnect the third and fourth tubular segments.5. The router of claim 1 further comprising: a fourth tubular segment,wherein a latch of the third tubular segment connects to a connectorhole of the fourth tubular segment to interconnect the third and fourthtubular segments.
 6. A router comprising: a plurality of tubularsegments interconnected to one another, each tubular segment surroundingan interior which accommodates fiber optic jumpers within the tubularsegment; wherein a latch of a first one of the tubular segments connectsto a connector hole of a second one of the tubular segments tointerconnect the first and second tubular segments; and at least onepost associated with at least one of the tubular segments for mountingthe router to a given surface.
 7. The router of claim 6 wherein: an endof the first tubular segment inserts within an end of the second tubularsegment to interconnect the first and second tubular segments.
 8. Therouter of claim 6 wherein: the tubular segments include straw-typetubular segments having straight configurations, wherein the straw-typetubular segments include connector holes.
 9. The router of claim 6wherein: the tubular segments include junction mule-type tubularsegments having straight configurations, wherein latches are connectedto at least some of the junction mule-type tubular segments.
 10. Therouter of claim 6 wherein: the tubular segments include anchor-typetubular segments having different configurations including at least oneof curved, S-bend, 90° bend, tee, and splitter configurations.
 11. Therouter of claim 10 wherein: latches are connected to at least some ofthe anchor-type tubular segments.
 12. The router of claim 10 wherein:connector holes are provided in at least some of the anchor-type tubularsegments.
 13. A router comprising: a plurality of tubular segmentsinterconnected to one another, each tubular segment surrounding aninterior which accommodates fiber optic jumpers within the tubularsegment; wherein a latch of a first one of the tubular segments connectsto a connector hole of a second one of the tubular segments tointerconnect the first and second tubular segments; and wherein thetubular segments have slits which open and close to enable placement offiber optic jumpers within the interiors of the tubular segments. 14.The router of claim 13 wherein: an end of the first tubular segmentinserts within an end of the second tubular segment to interconnect thefirst and second tubular segments.
 15. The router of claim 13 wherein:the tubular segments include straw-type tubular segments having straightconfigurations, wherein the straw-type tubular segments includeconnector holes.
 16. The router of claim 13 wherein: the tubularsegments include junction mule-type tubular segments having straightconfigurations, wherein latches are connected to at least some of thejunction mule-type tubular segments.
 17. The router of claim 13 wherein:the tubular segments include anchor-type tubular segments havingdifferent configurations including at least one of curved, S-bend, 90°bend, tee, and splitter configurations.
 18. The router of claim 17wherein: latches are connected to at least some of the anchor-typetubular segments.
 19. The router of claim 17 wherein: connector holesare provided in at least some of the anchor-type tubular segments. 20.The router of claim 13 further comprising: at least one post associatedwith at least one of the tubular segments for mounting the router to agiven surface.